Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (Northeast Delta HSA) held a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, November 13 at the Tallulah Community Center to open a dialogue about mental health, addictive disorder and developmental disabilities needs and services in the Parish.
NE Delta HSA Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. Sizer hosted the Town Hall meeting along with Madison Parish community leaders. The meeting agenda included a panel of local health care and governmental leaders and a question & answer session.
“No one of us can solve problems alone,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, NE Delta HSA Executive Director. “Only through collaboration will we jointly find solutions to meet peoples’ behavioral health needs.”
Tallulah Mayor Paxton Branch welcomed the Town Hall guests. Patricia Buchanan Williams led the singing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Delta Recovery’s Iree Jackson dedicated a few moments of silence to those who have suffered from mental illness, addiction and developmental disabilities.
A panel discussion, which informed participants about local mental health, primary care, addictive disorder and developmental disabilities services available to citizens, included Rodger Puckett of the Madison Parish School System, Madison Parish Hospital CEO Dr. Ted Topolewski and Elizabeth Watts of Delta American Healthcare. The panel members also raised issues and offered possible solutions about services needed within the community for discussion with advocacy groups and citizens.
During the Town Hall meeting, NE Delta HSA and Madison Parish Hospital signed a Memorandum of Agreement to provide coordinated care for people seeking behavioral health care and/or primary health care.
“This MOA is an important collaboration toward providing both primary care and behavioral health care to the people who need these services,” said Dr. Topolewski. “This model of integrated care with open communication between NE Delta and our hospital will improve health outcomes in Madison Parish.”
Integrated behavioral and primary healthcare is a major initiative of NE Delta HSA. “We continue to deliver upon our promise to build business relationships that bring a positive impact to the health of our citizens,” said Dr. Sizer. “These efforts help us deliver quality, competent behavioral health care with excellent customer service throughout the 12 parishes of northeast Louisiana.”
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About Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (Northeast Delta HSA)
Northeast Delta HSA directs the operation of community-based programs to improve the quality of life of people with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders. Northeast Delta HSA is devoted to deliver programs and services that encourage people to reach their true human potential.
Three tenets guide our efforts: excellent customer service, greater access to services and competent, quality care. Northeast Delta HSA serves citizens in 12 parishes of northeastern Louisiana: Caldwell, East Carroll, West Carroll, Ouachita, Lincoln, Madison, Franklin, Morehouse, Jackson, Tensas, Richland and Union. For more information, please visit our website at www.nedeltahsa.org or call 318-362-3270.
Media Contact:
Jill Hirsekorn
Northeast Delta HSA Public Information Director
2513 Ferrand Street, Monroe, LA 71201
Phone 318-362-5482
NE Delta HSA Press & Media
www.nedeltahsa.org
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